2014-05-09

Dr. Joseph Wu, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) envoy to the United States, on May 8th
wrapped up a three-day visit to Washington, D.C. during which he
exchanged views on recent political developments in Taiwan in a series
of meetings with representatives from the U.S. administration, Congress,
foreign embassies, and a broad range of policy analysts.

Speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of the trip,
Representative Wu pointed out that the U.S. government has consistently
taken a neutral position in their official statements with respect to
the large-scale student protests that unfolded in Taiwan between
mid-March to early April. His conversations in Washington this week
confirmed their understanding that these protests, as a phenomenon
arising from outside of existing political parties and institutions,
highlight Taiwan’s active and robust civil society and demonstrate the
continued vibrancy of Taiwan’s democracy.

Wu also communicated to U.S. counterparts that the DPP’s main agenda in
the near future is to address the root causes of the recent mass
demonstrations and widespread discontent among Taiwan’s electorate,
including ameliorating the impact of trade globalization on the
employment prospects for the newest generation of workers; pushing for
much-needed constitutional reforms to reduce systemic political gridlock
and improve the quality of governance; and establishing mechanisms for
substantive legislative oversight of cross-strait negotiations to inject
transparency into the process and lessen public anxiety regarding the
pace of cross-strait economic integration.

In response to comments made in Taiwan earlier in the day by Mainland
Affairs Council Minister Wang Yu-chi, who alleged that the pan-green
camp routinely criticizes Taiwan’s government in the course of its
lobbying efforts overseas, Representative Wu emphasized that DPP has
always sought to be a constructive voice in all of its outreach
activities in Washington.

“From the very beginning, when I was appointed to this position, I
pledged that I would not bring our domestic political disputes to
Washington and that pledge remains in place — we have no interest in
taking these disputes abroad. Our objective here is to engage in
discussions on substantive issues and present the DPP’s perspective of
the policy options that are in the best interests of Taiwan as a whole.”

In brief remarks at a May 7th Atlantic Council conference
hosted on Capitol Hill by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chair of the House
Foreign Relations Committee, to commemorate the 35thanniversary
of the Taiwan Relations Act, Dr. Wu commented that the best way for
Taiwan to express its appreciation to the United States is to stand
shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. and other friends in the region to
build the peace.

"For 35 years now, Taiwan has depended on our great friends in the
United States to be the guarantor of our security. We cannot thank this
wonderful country and the leadership of people like Rep. Royce enough
for this support.

“Now Taiwan needs to give back as much as possible and become an
integral part in the US effort to keep the peace and prosperity of our
region firmly in place. We are committed to being such a partner –
spending on a defense that deters any miscalculation by others about our
resolve and abilities, as well as offering our resources to help build
the emerging security and economic architecture in the region."

Representative Wu also stated that the DPP is committed to following the
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with regard to Taiwan's
claims over Itu Abu (Taiping Island), and that Taiwan "should not work
together with China" to advance Chinese claims of sovereignty in the
South China Sea territorial disputes.